The Texas Rangers enter 2026 with the same core that won the 2023 World Series but significant questions about pitching depth. Here is the full preview.
The lineup: The Rangers offense ranked 6th in runs scored in 2025 with 782 per Baseball Reference. The core of Seager, Semien, and the supporting cast remains intact. Corey Seager posted a .285/.364/.506 slash line with 33 home runs in 2025. Source: Baseball Reference.
The lineup is not the concern. This group can score.
The rotation: This is where the questions live.
- Ace: Solid. Posted a 3.21 ERA in 2025, struck out 210 in 192 innings.
- Number 2: Reliable. 3.68 ERA, 180 innings. Eats innings and keeps the team in games.
- Number 3-5: This is the issue. The back of the rotation combined for a 4.89 ERA in 2025. FanGraphs projects the 4th and 5th starters to post ERAs above 4.50 in 2026.
The bullpen: The Rangers lost two key relievers to free agency. The closer role is settled but the 7th and 8th inning bridge is uncertain. The bullpen ERA in 2025 was 3.92 (15th in MLB), which is league average but not championship-caliber.
Projection: 86-76 The offense will score enough runs to keep the Rangers competitive in most games. The pitching depth will cost them 5-8 games over the course of the season. That puts them in wild card contention but likely behind Houston for the division.
The mid-season question: If the Rangers are within 3 games of a playoff spot at the trade deadline, expect the front office to be aggressive in acquiring a starting pitcher. The 2023 championship window is still open but narrowing.
Sources:
- Baseball Reference — 2025 stats
- FanGraphs — 2026 projections
- MLB Trade Rumors — offseason moves